Make time for strategic thinking every day

No matter what your level, strategic thinking is a critical skill. It can always be improved. To hone your capacity to see the big picture, start by making sure you have a solid understanding of the industry and business drivers.

Be proactive about connecting with peers in your organization and in your industry to understand their observations of the marketplace, and share this information across your network. Take time to understand the unique information and perspective that your job function contributes to the company.

Become more curious, and look at information from different points of view. You will reduce your myopia and see different possibilities, different approaches, and different potential outcomes. Learn to embrace debate and to invite challenge, without letting it get personal. This lets you ask tough questions. To do this, focus on issues, not people, and use neutral peers to challenge your thinking.